Folded shirt and collar protector



MR 1950 s. LIGHTER FOLDED SHIRT AND COLLAR PROTECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1947 TTA/Y.

Nov. 21, 1950 s. LIGHTER FOLDED SHIRT AND COLLAR PROTECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1947 NVENTOR.

A TTOR/VEYS.

R o T c E. T 0 R D.- Rm EL L TO HG G D l N L A Sm I H S m D L O F 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 8, 1947 INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE The present invention relates generally to improvements inttheart of;protecting folded shirts especially after they have been freshly; laundered, and relates morespecifically to. an improved :as-

semblage for protecting the collars of folded shirts'orsimilar garments againstcollapse or undesirable crushing'and wrinkling.

Inmy prior-Patent-No; 2,353,344, granted July 11,1944, I have: shown a protectorf-or the collars of folded shirts or the like, comprising a .panel formed'for coactionwith thev front outer portion ofthe col-lar'band of the shirt'b'eneath the collarlapels, a collar band supporting plate .swingably connected at its medialportion to the upper central portion of the panel, and a pair of retainer elements. formed integral with and disposed on opposite sides-of themedial connection between the panel and the plate, and adapted to engage adjacent portions of the plate to hold the latter within the interior of the collar band when the protector is applied to a shirt. The assemblage of this prior patent functions to provide an upright easel for the neck-band of the collar, having'in her and outer strips extending along the adja-- cent .inner and outer surfaces of the neck-band, and designed to protect and to keep the collar erect.

Dueto the fact that the front central portion of the outer. panel of such a bracing easel i necessarily inclined downwardly away from the collar band at a relatively fiat angle while the corresponding portion of'the inner plate is disposed substantially uprightrelative to the plane of the shirt bosom, the support provided by the patented protector is not sufiiciently rigid to resist extreme downward impacts and pressure exerted against the-top of the'assemblage adjacent to the clamping elements. I have however, discovered that this objectionable feature may be effectively eliminated by causing the medial panel and plate connector to not only clampingly engage the midportion of the inner plate,v but toalso iormrthe top'ridge so as to produce a rigid substantially triangular box frameor more durable easel adapted to withstand very much higher down ward'pressure than the previous assemblagesof this type were adapted to resist.

It istherefore a primary object of my present invention to provide-an improved collar protector for folded shirts, which is simple in construction, readily applicable and adapted-t effectively resist relatively high pressure and impacts directed against the topedge or the collar.

Another objectof this invention is to provide an I improved. shirt collar protecting, assemblage which may be manufactured from relatively lightz paper stockrand at minimumcost, to pr-oduceca? durable and relatively rigid protector;

A further object of the invention is to providean improved folded shirt and collar protector which may be'conveniently applied to a garment,

and which when properly applied will not only; efiectively protectthe shirt collar, but'will also maintain the shirt in neatly folded condition:-

without'utilizing separate fasteners or extensive: envelopes.

Still another object of the present invention is. to provide an eiiicient shirt collar protecting device and folded shirt retainer formed of a uni;- taryblankof cardboard or the like, and whichv may be readily assembled upon the shirtand its' collar while being" lockedin assembled condition.

An additional obj ect of my invention-is to proe videvarious improvements in shirt collar'protec tive units of the typesh-own and described in my above identified prior. patent; whereby the strength and effectiveness of such devicesis .aug. mented' to a maximum, while the costofproduc tion is reduced to a minimum.

Thev above and-other objects-and advantages. ofthe'invention willbe apparent from the fol-.- lowing detailed description.

A clear conception of the various features constituting my present improvements, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing several typ forming a part of thisspecification in which likereference characters designate the same or simi-- lar parts in the various views.

Fig.1 lis a, planviewof awshirt embracing band type of the improved. shirt and collar protector,- prior to but ready for application to a folded shirt;

Fig. 2 is-a plan .view of a typical freshly laundered and folded shirt, showinga fragment of one ofrtheprotectors of the type depicted in Fig, 1; superimposed upon the shirt preparatory to final application and assembly of the blank;

Fig. 3v is a perspective view of the finally as.- sembled shirt and protector of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary outside view of the improved shirt embracing band retainer or lock;

Fig. 5- is a similar fragmentary inside View ofmy improved shirt embracing band retainer or. look;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified collar pro.- tec-tor of the non-shirt-embracing variety;

Fig. 7 is another plan View of a freshly laundered and .folded. shirt,- showing one of; the media fied protectors of Fig. 6, superimposed thereon preparatory to final assembly of the blank upon the shirt collar;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the finally assembled shirt and collar protector of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-section taken transversely through the front portion of a shirt neckband with an improved protector of either type applied;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a further modified collar protector of the non-shirt-embracing variety;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a shirt having the further modified protector partially applied;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the finally assembled shirt and protector of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section similar to that of Fig. 9, taken through the assemblage of Fig. 12.

In spite of the fact thatthe invention has been shown and described herein as being especially applicable to protectors formed of cardboard and adapted for application to freshly laundered folded mens shirts, it is not my desire or intent to unnecessarily restrict the formation or utility of the improved devices by virtue of this limited disclosure.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and Fig. 9 of the drawings, the improved shirt embracing type of collar protector shown therein is adapted for application to a neatly folded shirt ll] having an attached collar consisting of an inner neck embracing band ll provided with a front button [2, and an outer fold l3 connected to the upper edge of the neck-band II and provided with downwardly directed wings or lapels I l extending toward the bosom of the shirt l0. These shirts when freshly laundered, may be folded about a special folding board 15 such as shown in Fig. 7, but the use of such board is not essential, and the shirt l0 may be either newly fabricated or freshly laundered.

One of the improved shirt embracing protectors is shown in flat blank formation in Fig. 1, and comprises an elongated retainer band [6 having a widened front section I! and being of sulncient length to extend around and to overlap at the rear of the bosom portion of the shirt l0 below the collar; an outer central panel l8 projecting upwardly from the mid-portion of the front section I! of the band [6, and having a pair of external neck-band supports formed integral therewith and projecting away from the opposite sides thereof; an elongated internal neck-band supporting plate 2| disposed parallel and adjacent to the panel [8 and supports 28, and being provided with spaced notches 22 near its medial portion; and an approximately triangular platform 23 swingably connecting the central panel I8 and the plate 2|, and having thereon upwardly extending spaced clamping elements 24 adapted for coaction with the notches 22.

The protector blank of Fig. 1 is preferably formed of a single unitary sheet of cardboard or the like, and the band [6 is adapted to snugly embrace folded shirts IQ of slightly different widths, one end of this band being provided with a hook portion 25 while the opposite end thereof is of reduced width and has a series of hook receiving slits 26 and a similar series of locking projections 21 cooperable with the hook portion 25 of the opposite band end, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the hook portion 25 coacts with the slit 26 and projection 2'! farthest from the slitted band end, but the hook portion 25 may also be caused to coact with the other slit and projection, and when the band ends are thus united in either position, the hook portion 25 is locked within the engaged slit 26 by the corresponding projection 21 and cannot be released without tearing or without extreme difliculty and careful handling. The improved structure thus provides an effective and readily united band fastening devoid of separate pins, clips, pasters or other parts such as are normally utilized for connecting such band ends.

The unitary blanks may be produced with the aid of punches and dies, and the heavier lines of the drawing represent slits cut through the blank body, while the lighter lines are merely score lines for facilitating folding of the adjoining parts. The center of the panel l8 which projects upwardly from the front section I! of the band [6, is foldably connected with its side supports 20 along inclined score lines 29, and each of the supports 29 is provided with a notched lower portion 30 adapted to interlock with an adjacent recessed projection 31 formed on the band section I! to maintain the panel l8 in elevated position inclined upwardly away from the shirt bosom and toward the neck-band I I, when the protector has been applied to a shirt ID, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 9. Each of the supports 20 is also provided with an elongated wing 32 adapted to extend beneath the upper ridge of the collar and to snugly engage the adjacent outer surface of the neckband II; and when the protector is in use, these wings 32 are urged against the neck-band II by the notched portions 30 coacting with the band projections 3|.

The elongated supporting plate 2| which is clampingly engageable with the interior of the collar band H is of approximately rectangular formation, and the notches 22 are formed by cutting the clamping elements 24 of the platform 23 out of the plate stock. The narrower end of the triangular platform 23 merges into the narrower end of the panel IS without intervening scoring, but the opposite wider end of the platform 23 has its mid-portion separated from the plate 2! by a slot 34, while the portions thereof between the ends of the slot 36 and the adjacent elements 24 are unscored, and the surface of the platform 23 Within its boundaries is also free from score or fold lines. The slot 34 which is of considerable importance, may be curved slightly in either direction, or it may be rectilinear; and when a protector thus formed is applied to a shirt It as in Fig. 3, the clamping elements will automatically firmly engage the adjacent notches 22 of the plate 2| so as to hold this plate in a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the shirt bosem, while the edge portion of the slot 34 adjoining the platform 23 will be projected across and will rest upon the edge portion of the same slot which adjoins the upper end of the upright plate, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 9.

In some instances it may be unnecessary or even undesirable to provide a shirt embracing protector such as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and in such cases the lower band portions of the protectors and the front panel erecting and holding members may be omitted. Such a modified collar protector is shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, and this protector is similar to the shirt embracing type except that the modified wings 32 thereof are wider and are swingably attached directly to the opposite sides of the central panel it along the score lines 29. The central panel I8 is tapered and united with the narrower end of the triangular platform 23, and the opposite wider end of the latter is connected to the plate 2| besweepers tween the end-s -o'ftlie=slot 34 and the adjacent clam-ping elements 24, while the plate 2I-isprovide d :with: notches, 22 cooperable: withitheoelemerrtseZ l; as previously described. Thissmodifled: collar: protector may also be: formedlof a single rsheetlof cardboard stocktorl'the like-with the aidJof-punches and dies, and :both types ofzthe improved protectors may be applied to folded shirts in in a similar manner.

It has also been found that the benefits of the present improvement are obtainable by omitting the slot 34 and by substituting therefor several weakened fold lines, and such a further modification is shown in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive of the drawings. The modified protector shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12 and l3is of the same type as that disclosed in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, but instead of utilizing a slot 3 1 and overlap to reenforce the upper ridge portion of the front easel assemblage, I provide a slightly angular or curved transverse score line 34' connecting the ends of the clamping elements 24 nearest the platform 23, and I also provide another score line 35 bisecting the plate 2! and extending perpendicular to the center of the transverse score line 34. The central panel I8 is tapered and united with the narrower end of the triangular platform 23 as in the previous modification, and a pair of opposite side wings 32' are hingedly secured along score lines 29 to the inclined opposite side edges of the panel I8. This further modified collar protector may likewise be formed of a single sheet of cardboard stock or the like, with the aid of punches and dies, and when the further modified assemblage is applied to a shirt collar, the plate 25 while being folded within the neckband ll of the collar will bend abruptly along the score lines 34, 35 and will be drawn inwardly toward the collar band as indicated in Fig. 13 to provide a rigid box structure or easel overlying the front button I2 of the collar and having a relatively sharp and stiff top ridge connecting the clamping elements 245.

While the mode of applying these improved protectors to shirts may be apparent from the foregoing description of the construction thereof, a short resume will be given. The folded shirt III either applied to or removed from a folding board I5, should be laid upon a flat support with the collar directed upwardly, whereupon the protector should be initially applied either as in Fig. 2, '7 or 11, with the collar lapels I projected through the slits beneath the plate 2i and above the wings 32, 32. The protector should then be advanced upwardly to cause the side wings to approach the outer surface of the neck-band I I beneath the external collar fold, thereby tilting the panel I8 as it approaches the collar button I2, to a position approximately as shown in Figs. 9 and I3. The inner neck-band bracing plate 2i should then be bent laterally and deposited within the collar, and while this is being done, the platform sition as in Figs. 9 and 13, and the clamping elements 2d thereof will automatically engage the adjacent notches 22 of the plate 2i, and the edge of the platform adjoining the slot 34 or score line 34 will coact with the edge of the plate 2! adjoining the top of the easel to provide a stiff top ridge. A box structure of considerable strength and adapted to resist extreme downward pressure, is thus provided at the front of the collar, while the wings 32, 32 and the plate 2! are firmly positioned near the opposite outer and inner surfaces of the collar neck-band II.

If the collar protector thus applied'is of the 23 will assume an approximately horizontal potypeshowni in Figs. '6 to *Q' inclusiVe; theattachment' thereof to theshirt I ll 5 will have been performed. Heweven'ifthe protector is of'th'e'shirt einb'racing'type shown in Figs. 1 toincluslve, the application-thereofto the shirt lflmust be completed by folding the panel I6 at the-opposite sides=of the=panel section I 1 along the score lines nearest to the opposite sides of the folded shirt I0, and by thereafter interlocking the hook portionz25 with the proper slit 25 and projection 2'! so as to insure snug embracement 'ofthe. shirt within the band I6. This final attachment of the band l6 may obviously be effected Without the aid of separate fasteners, and the interlock afforded by the improved elements is so effective that the band is must ordinarily be torn in order to effect subsequent removal of the collar protector.

From the foregoing detailed description of several embodiments of the present improved protectors, it will be apparent that the invention provides an improved shirt and collar protecting device which is extremely durable and strong, even if manufactured from relatively thin and inexpensive stock. The stifi easel or box structure provided by the panel I8, plate 2! and platform 23 at the front of the collar, is adapted to resist considerable pressure and impact without danger of collapsing, and the transverse rigid top ridge of this box structure not only provides for such pressure and impact resistance, but also enhances the clamping action tending to press the wings 32, 32 against the outer side surface of the neckband I I. The long wings 32, 32 forming integral parts of the panel I8, also enhance the support for the collar ridge, and the improved band fastening assemblage effectively confines the shirt against unfolding and prevents the protector from loosening due to rough handling. The improved protectors can be quickly and readily applied to the folded shirts either while mounted on folding boards I5 or when these boards are omitted, and they may also be manufactured from inexpensive stock and with minimum waste of material. The present improved devices have proven highly satisfactory and successful in actual use, and present an attractive and highly aesthetic appearance when applied to neatly folded clean shirts II).

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claim may occur to persons skilled in the art; and it is also contemplated that specific descriptive terms used herein be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

I claim:

1. In a collar protector for folded shirts, a panel formed for coaction with the outer forward portion of the neck-band of a folded shirt beneath the outer collar and collar lapels, a neck-band clamping plate swingably associated at its medial portion with the medial portion of said panel, and a platform swingably uniting said medial panel and plate portions and having its opposite sides provided with clamping elements engageable with notches in adjacent parts of the plate, said platform being separated at its mid-portion from the adjacent portion of said plate by a slit terminating short of the clamping elements and which provides a weakened fold line forming a stiff top ridge when the protector is applied to a collar.

2. A collar protector as per claim 1, characterized thereby, that the slit is curved so as to cause the upper mid-portion of the platform to project over and beyond the upper end of the midportion of the plate at the stiffening ridge in the applied assemblage.

STEPHEN LIGHTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: v

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